Bagan Serai MP joins PKR exodus

UPDATED

By Adib Zalkapli

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 — Bagan Serai MP Mohsin Fadzli Samsuri (pic) became the latest MP to quit PKR and turn independent today, even as party leaders moved to quell fears of an exodus of lawmakers.

He made the announcement at a press conference together with former PKR secretary-general Datuk Salehuddin Hashim.

Mohsin said he was quitting the party today because of concerns about Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) politics, especially over the “Allah” row.

He claimed that he had raised some of his concerns through the party’s internal channels but no action had been taken.

“In the name of Allah, I would like to announce my resignation from PKR,” said Mohsin.

He said that he contested in Election 2008 after a request made by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“The trust and confidence that I have placed in PKR’s and Pakatan Rakyat’s struggle especially in restoring the special position of Islam has faded with the latest development in the party,” he added.

Mohsin also revealed that he has not been able to perform his duties due to sabotage and internal problems in the party.

“I have raised these issues and questions through internal party channels, but no action or positive step was taken,” he added.

Mohsin is the third PKR MP to quit the party since last month.

With his resignation PKR now has 27 MPs, DAP, 28, PAS, 23, PSM, 1 and SAPP, 2. There are four independents.

Barisan Nasional (BN) controls 137 seats in the 222-member Parliament.

While Salehuddin has denied behind the spate of resignations, his appearance at press conferences of MPs announcing their decisions to quit has fuelled speculation about his involvement.

Following the resignations of Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim and Nibong Tebal MP TanTee Beng, Salehuddin had predicted more than ten other MPs could leave the party.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other PKR leaders have accused Salehuddin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of being instrumental in enticing PKR MPs.

PKR deputy president Senator Syed Husin Ali responded yesterday to Salehuddin’s prediction of future resignations by revealing that the former secretary-general was paid RM9,000 a month and had quit in a huff at not being named head of Selangor investment arm Perangsang

Syed Husin’s riposte appeared to be part of a campaign to discredit party rebels as he had also disclosed that former Penang deputy chief minister Mohd Fairus Khairuddin was paid RM4,000 a month despite quitting his state post and Penanti seat.

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